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TOM EWING 



— OR — 



The Spy of Chancellorsville 



A 

DRAMA 

IN THREE ACTS 




COPYRIGHT 1910 
By the Author aad Publisher 

Rev. Benjamin J. Raycroft, A. M., 

Erie, Pa. 

Tenth St. and East Ave. 



©CI.D 22862 






Tom Ewing 

OR 



The Spy of Chancellorville 



DRAMATIS PERSONAE. 



TOM EWING, a youth in poverty— A Colonel U. S. A. 
BEATRICE ROSEDALE, Captain U. S. A. 
ROBERT LEE, Confederate General. 
RAY SILVERSTON, Confederate Officer. 
IRASHUS, General Hooker's Colored Servant. 
MR. ROSEDALE, a wealthy Manufacturer. 
MRS. ROSEDALE, his wife. 
ETHEL ROSEDALE, their daughter. 
HOWARD GRAY, Ethel's Husband. 
JOHN BURK, a Friend of Beatrice and Ewnig. 
Officers, Soldiers, Etc. 



I • • o« • • • 

^rsville. 



ACT I. 

SCENE 1 — A Cheap Restaurant — Workingmen coming 
in and chatting to one another. A recruiting officer in rear 
at a table and Tom Ewing seated by himself. 



1st Speaker : Well, boys, we ought to be very glad 
to have this bite to eat after the day. 

2d Speaker : Yes, we ought to be thankful for any 
morsel. We are producing the wealth and then live 
like beggars. 

3d Speaker: Slaves you may say. 

4th Speaker: Worse than slaves; for the slave's 
master has an interest in him. He sees that his slave 
has something to eat and a place to sleep ; but our mas- 
ters care not whether we starve. 

2d Speaker: True you are.. We hear much talk 
of slavery in the South ; but if they want to see real 
slavery, let them come to Pittsburgh. 

3d Speaker: The poor man is a slave everywhere. 
He is dogged from morning to night in the shop. 
Everyone is barking at him and the pay he gets is not 
enough to keep a cat alive. ^ 



TOM EWING 



ACT I 

5th Speaker. And if he has a family, his children 
must slave at something to get a mouthful of bread. 
The whole thing is wrong. One man rides in a car- 
riage ; another plods in the slush with broken shoes ; 
one woman lives in luxury, another earns her morsel 
of bread on the wash-board ; one child is spoilt because 
it has too much, another starves because it has nothing. 
Talk about humanity ! It is all rot ! You must work or 
die ; and when you are no longer able to work, you may 
go to the poor-house. 

1st Speaker: Men, you are right ; still much of our 
misery is due to ourselves. If we were united our con- 
dition would not be so bad. Some of us are cowards ; 
some are hot-headed, and some squander the little they 
earn ; but there is Tom Ewing and he is not saying a 
word. Eh, Tom ; what have you to say about the poor 
man's lot? 

Tom Ev^ing : I am keenly interested in your talk ; 
and glad to hear you discuss a subject which bears 
sharply upon myself. What do I think about the poor 
man's lot? To be frank with you, it bewilders me. I 
can not understand why some things are so ; but not 
being able to remedy them, I simply submit and try to 
live. Some of the rich are doubtlessly hard-hearted; 
but I can not believe that all are thus. 

Burk (Rather advanced in age) : Tom Ewing, I 
rarely met a rich man who had any feelings for the 
poor. I am old and know a few things. The laborer's 



Or The Spy of Chancellorsville 



SCENE 1 

toil makes the rich man richer ; but the laborer remains 
a toiler. His lot never grows better. Ay, Tom Ewing, 
for a young" man who has been so shamefully treated, 
you take a kind view of the rich. What does Rosedale 
do for you? He will not even give you a chance to 
work. Tom, I know your history perhaps better than 
yourself. Your father was a rich man — charitable and 
kind — the only one I ever met. It was he who put 
Rosedale on his feet. It was he who made Rosedale 
a rich man. He helped and encouraged many a one. 
Would to God we had more like your father! But 
what does Rosedale do for you? What does he give 
you in return for your father's great help to him? 
Nothing but sneers and insults. He will not even give 
you a job in his great plant. 

Tom : Burk, what you say of Rosedale is true ; 
still I can not convince myself that there are many 
like him. Ingratitude is bitter ; it is galling. I know 
what it is ; yet some there must be who are mindful of 
kindness. All cannot be vile. 

Burk: Tom, you are now about 22 years of age. 
Since you were 15 you have struggled hard enough. 
You have met the rugged world bravely. Did you meet 
any of the rich who gave you a helping hand? Some 
should have thought it an honor to help so brave a boy. 
Many should have remembered your big-hearted father 
and your gentle, charitable mother; but where is the 
single one? 



TOM EWING 



ACT I 

Tom : Burk, you are right ; yet in all this struggle 
— and no one knows it all — I believed a higher power 
was directing me ; that the sneers and insults gave me 
more indurance ; that corroding disappointment and 
base opposition were my teachers. I felt that the black 
night would not last forever ; and when day came, I 
would have a heart to feel for the miseries of others. 
Burk, we cannot fathom all that happens ; nor assign a 
reason for everything. 

Burk: I am glad you have such pluck. May the ill 
winds which have tossed you about so long, soon 
change to prosperous breezes. 

Tom: Burk, you have always been my friend. 
How often you have offered me shelter on stormy 
nights. Pride, you may think, prevented me from ac- 
cepting your help. It is not so ; I swore in my very 
soul I would never forget your goodness. You are one 
of God's nobility. 

Burk: I had not much to offer and it grieved me 
to see you so independent. 

Recruiting OfEcer (sitting in the rear comes 
front) : Pardon me for interupting your very interest- 
ing talk; but I am a recruiting officers authorized to 
raise a company ; I am its captain. Now, young man, 
(addressing Ewing), I have been listening; if you want 
to grasp fortune come with me. I will make you my 
first lieutenant. A young man of your training and 



Or The Spy of Chancellorsville 



SCENE 1 

courage will rise rapidly in the army. What do you 



say? 



Tom: Captain, I grasp at your offer, but at pres- 
ent I must delay my answer. Will you hold the offer 
open for me? 

Officer : You must be one of us. Now, how many 
more of you will come with me? Here is your lieu- 
tenant; a young man whom you all know and thmk 
well of'. How many of you will follow him ? 

1st Speaker: I would go with him to fight for my 
country ; but I do not care to be shot to death for any 
black nigger. 

Officer: It is now not a question of slavery but 
of the Union. The war is on ; the battle of Bull's Run 
is a thing of the past. We must fight, now, whether 
we like it or not. 

Burk: You are right, man. It is one flag now or 
perhaps a dozen by and by. If we be divided, we can 
be made a foot ball for every nation to kick. Were I 
not so old, I would be with you. 

2d Speaker: Come, men, we may as well enlist. 
It is as easy to die on the field of battle for our country 
as it is to sweat and work oursleves to death in a shop 
for a tyrant. 



TOM EWING 



ACT I 

3d Speaker : I am with you captain ; I prefer the 
Stars and Stripes to the boss' whip. 

Officer. All who will follow this brave lieutenant 
come over with him now to the tent and we shall talk 
the whole matter over. (Exeunt all but Burk.) 

Burk: Tom, a moment. 

Tom: Excuse me, captain, I shall follow in a 
minute. 

Burk: Tom, what will become of that affection- 
ate child, Beatrice Rosedale? If you go, her heart 
will break. 

Tom (starts) :. .What do you mean? 

Burk: I know your secret. 

Tom: You can not, for no one knows whether I 
have a secret or not. 

Burk: Well, I know that the child loves you. 
Often has she stopped me on my return from work to 
inquire for you; and disobedient tears told me the se- 
cret of her heart. 

Tom: If such is true, Rosedale would scoff and 
spurn me as he would a vile cur. 



Or The Spy of Chancellorsville 



SCENE 1 

Burk : To hell with Rosedale ! The United States 
is wide. 

Tom. Burk, mind you the last dime I had, I paid 
for that lunch I ate a while ago. 

Burk: I have a hundred dollars saved. It is 
yours. 

Tom (grasping his hand) : Burk, you are as true 
as the purest gold. 

Burk: It is a duty, my boy. When my oldest 
child died, it was your father who paid for the coffin 
which encased my little darling's remains. 

Tom: I wish, Burk, that others had as fond a 
memory as you ; still, I can not accept. To take your 
hard earnings would be cruel. Again, what can I do 
with a hundred dollars? Drag Beatrice into poverty? 
No ! no ! Besides the tears you saw may be pearls of 
pity, not affection. I believe it's the army now, Burk, 
for me. If I outlive the war, all may be well. 

Burk : If you go you will see the child before you 
leave the city? 

Tom: You are a true friend. If I accept the offer 
and Beatrice is to be found, I will see her and you, too. 
Good night, old friend. (Exit Tom.) 



10 TOM EWING 



ACT I 



Burk: Good night, mv boy. (Alone.) If I could 
betray secrets, Tom, I could make pearls come to your 
eyes, too — pearls not only of pity but of love. (Exit.) 



SCENE 2 — Garden. — Burk is seen looking around the 
rear of stage. Passes off and returns with Beatrice. 

Burk : You should try to see Tom tonight. 

Beatrice : Would that I were able ! He is so sen- 
sitive and distant. Though unpretentious of his innate 
powers of mind, still there is a peculiar consciousness 
in his soul of its own worth which demands of him to 
suffer rather than seek for aid unearned. 

Burk : The poor fellow often needs aid, I tell you. 
He is too manly to ask ; and even when offered, he 
pushes back the hand of help. 

Beatrice: To hear that he was hungry and I had 
plenty racks my soul. O, Tom! Would that I could 
tear aside the mask which hides you from yourself and 
keeps you from me ! 

Burk : Want keeps him away ; or perhaps hope — 
hope that the clouds of ill-fortune may roll away and 
he have something worthy to offer you. 



Or The Spy of Chancellorsville 



11 



SCENE 2 

Beatrice : How foolish ! Is not his affection more 
than the whole world? 

Burk: Yea, my child, but love does not want its 
love to know pain or hunger. 

Beatrice : Then, surely he ought to come to me ! 
Burk; Have you seen your father? 

Beatrice- No! I have planned to let Ethel into 
the secret. She may help me with mother. Mother 
is kind and may be won. Then we could all attack 
father. But father ! He is so hard and cold. 

Burk: There is no time to waste. I am afraid it 
is now too late. 

Beatrice: What do you mean? 
Burk: I can not tell you. 
Beatrice: Is he hurt? 
Burk : He was not an hour ago. 
Beatrice: Is he going away? 
Burk: Perhaps. 



12 TOM EWING 



ACT I 

Beatrice: Dear old friend, why pierce my heart 
with such a dagger? Tell me, I beg! 

Burk: I keep his secrets as I keep yours. Come 
with me, and perchance we may find him. 

Beatrice: He is not injured? 

Burk: No. 

Beatrice: Then wait for me at the old spot. I 
shall be with you in less than an hour. Here comes 
Ethel. I must have some good news to tell him. Oh, 
if I could even tell him that mother loves him ! You 
will wait? 

Burk: Would it not be better for me to try and 
find him and bring him to the old post office in the 
tree? I do not want to alarm you; but you will weep 
tomorrow, if you do not see him tonight. 

Beatrice: I had better go now! 

Burk : You will gain no time ; for if he is to be 
found, I can save time by bringing him to you. 

Beatrice : When will you be at the old place ? 

Burk (looks at his watch) : If I can find him where 
I expect, I shall be there about 10 o'clock. 



Or The Spy of Chancellorsville 13 



SCENE 2 

Beatrice: If you do not, I will wait all night 
there for you. So be sure to bring him to me. (Burk 
leaves.) Now, hurry; may your angel lead you to 
him. Now for Ethel. I saw her down in the garden. 
(Walks toward rear side of stage and calls) : Ethel, 
come; I want to see you. (Ethel enters.) I am de- 
lighted to see you and want a favor from you. 

Ethel : Oh, it is the favor which delights you ; or 
is it myself? 

Beatrice: Ethel, this is severe; yet had I never 
a favor to ask, you would be dear to me. 

Ethel: You know, Beatrice, that dear is declin- 
able — dear, dearer, dearest. I may be dear to you, but 
the favor may be dearer. 

Beatrice: Ethel, you may weigh me in the scales 
of your nice distinctions, I shall not complain, but only 
give me your help. 

Ethel: Help in what? 

Beatrice: I am tortured, Ethel, on the rack of 
fear. A favor I ask of vou that you and I and mother 
may obtain a greater favor for me from father. The 
ghastly spectre of refusal harrows my soul ! Pity me ! 
and help me first vAth mother. 



14 TOM EWING 



ACT I 

Ethel: I am like one lost in darkness; I can not 
see your purpose. 

Beatrice: Promise me you will be patient with 
me if that purpose meets not your approval. 

Ethel: It is not easy to make a promise about a 
thing of which I am ignorant ; yet I suppose I can be 
patient. 

Beatrice: You know Tom Ewing? 

Ethel: Yes, what of it? • 

Beatrice: You know, also, that, as children, he 
and I were friends. 

Ethel: I know you were companions. 

Beatrice: True, but that companionship made us 
friends ; and that friendship, as a budding flower, 
opened up the heart to something, — Oh ! I would speak 
it but my tongue falters — that word is too sacred for 
my lips to touch ! 

Ethel: Perchance that sacred thing is love. 

Beatrice : It is. 



Or The Spy of Chancellorsville 15 

SCENE 2 

Ethel: Well, I helped you speak it and have des- 
ecrated that very sacred thing with the profanity of 
speech. 

Beatrice : If you will not help, you ought at least 
not barb your words with cruel scorn. 

Ethel: Help you in such a mad enterprise? 

Beatrice : I cannot perceive more madness in my 
purpose than in yours. Do you not love Howard Grey? 

Ethel: Well, now that's silly. Why, Miss, there 
is no comparison between Howard and that beggar 
Tom Ewing. Howard is the son of an influential gen- 
tleman. He has wealth, refinement and a lucrative 
office. His marriage to me will confer on our family 
distinction, influence and high social standing. Tom 
Ewing has nothing, and your wild, mad notions will 
bring disgrace upon us all. 

Beatrice: Tom Ewing has nothing! Well, he has 
brains, what Howard has not. Moreover he has in- 
tellect to use his brains. Howard would not know what 
to do with brains if he had them. Howard is greedy 
and selfish ; Tom Ewing has a heart as big as a moun- 
tain and as tender as the rose. Howrd has the wealth 
which his father's rapacity accumulated ; Tom Ewing 
had a father as generous as the exhaustless fountain 



16 TOM EWING 



ACT I 

which is fed by the pure snows of the peak; and a 
mother as sweet as an angel and as meek as a saint. 
You are welcome to Howard's legacy; give me Tom 
Ewing for mine ! 

Ethel: When you are starving, we shall see how 
delighted you will be with Tom's fine qualities. 

Beatrice: And when you are weeping, we shall 
see what solace you will find in Howard's gold. 

Ethel: Enough! To bandy words is folly. Fa- 
ther will never permit the realization of your wild 
dreams. To mention them to him will only provoke 
his v^^rath and bring displeasure upon you. Good- 
day. (Exit.) 

Beatrice : Well, if that is not a kind, affectionate 
sister. Her haughtiness may yet be changed into tears 
by her sweet, rich blockhead — Howard Gray. I wish 
I had not said a word to her about the matter ; but now 
I have crossed the Rubicon and the next step forward 
in misery is to talk with mother. I must hurry before 
Ethel tattles the news to her. (Exit.) 

(Beatrice returns with her mother.) 

Mrs. Rosedale : What you say no truthful person 
will deny. Tom Ewing is a good young man but his 
poverty is an impediment which your father will not 
condone. 



Or The Spy of Chancellorsville 17 



SCENE 2 

Beatrice : Mother, you are kind and considerate ; 
but why should father object to Tom because he is 
poor. Riches are not all. Indeed, thev are after all a 
small part of any person's true value. Wealth is but 
the gloss; and if a virtuous character is not under- 
neath, the gloss wears off and only the base metal re- 
mains.. 

Mrs. Rosedale: You are wise in your remarks, 
but youthful affection blinds you to the hardships of 
want. To be sure your father could open the path of 
success to Tom, but here is where the gate of opposi- 
tion is met and I think you will not be able to unlock 
it. 

Beatrice : O, mother ! had I the key it would soon 
be thrown wide open. If Tom only had a chance to 
prove himself, father could not help liking him. Op- 
portunity is stingy with him. Were father to give 
him the opportunity, the time would come when he 
would be repaid, for Tom is not an ingrate. 

Mrs. Rosedale: My child, temper your desires 
with prudence. I do not think it will help you much 
to see your father ; still you may try. Indeed I am glad 
you have such courage. I admire you for it and con- 
sider Tom Ewing deserving of it. Tom was not always 
poor. Before his father and mother died, he was nursed 
amid plenty. He was only a child and his guardian 
squandered Tom's heritage. Had his parents lived, 
Tom need not beg for a position to earn his bread. 



18 TOM EWING 



ACT I 

Beatrice : Still is not Tom the same preson strug- 
gling with want, that he was when caressed by fortune? 
It appears to me, if there is a difference that difference 
makes him better; for want necessitates effort and 
effort enlarges the view of things; and seeing things 
as they are, gives experience, while experience teaches 
what ourselves and others are. 

Mrs. Rosedale: Tom has had experience enough^ 
sad and cruel indeed; I pity him. No wonder he is 
good ; he was fed on goodness by a generous father 
and a loving mother. People do not know this, and if 
they did, they would care very little. As you suggest- 
ed a while ago, the jewel is lost in the setting. 

Beatrice: Mother, I ever thought you good and 
kind ; still I did not think enough of you. I did not 
know you as you are. If you will plead my cause with 
father, I am convinced he will listen to your persuasive 
v/ords of tenderness and truth. 

Mrs. Rosedale: My darling child, I would speak 
for you and in your fondness be well repaid, but it is 
useless. Your father is cast in a mould formed by 
business experience. He estimates values by the mar- 
ket price. He would simply tell me I am sentimental. 

Beatrice: But will you not try? If you fail, I 
shall have lost nothing which is not already lost; and 
if you win, I will pray every day of my life and every 



Or The Spy of Chancellorsville 19 



SCENE 2 

minute of every day that God may bless you with bless- 
ings as sweet and great and lasting as He is infinite ! 

Mrs. Rosedale : Beatrice, you have a noble soul. 
I am proud of you; but listen: Father will be here 
soon. You appeal to him; and if the occasion favor, 
I will help you win your petition. 

Beatrice: O, mother!' I tremble at the thought. 
I am timid ; I cannot be calm, and rashness will spoil 
all ; still I shall do as you say. Oh, do help me mother 
and — (Mr. Rosedale enters. Takes a newspaper from 
his pocket and reads) — (whispers to her mother.) 

Mr. Rosedalt: Good evening. When will supper 
be ready? 

Mrs. Rosedale: Shortly. You must be hungry 
and tired. 

Mr. Rosedale : Yes, a good deal of both. 

Beatrice (standing by his side) : . Father, I know 
you must be weary, but I trust your kindness will 
pardon me for interrupting you. 

Mr. Rosedale : I would rather not be interrupted. 

Beatrice : Just for a few moments, father. I shall 
not take up much of your time. 



20 TOM EWING 



ACT I 

Mr. Rosedale: Well, what is it? 

Beatrice : Do you know Tom Ewing? 

Mr. Rosedale: Slightly. 

Beatrice: Do you not think him honest and reli- 
able? 

Mr. Rosedale: Perhaps. 

Beatrice: He and I, as children, went to school 
together. 

Mr. Rosedale : Well, if you did. There is nothing 
uncommon about children attending school. 

Beatrice: He is now desirous of obtaining a po- 
sition; can you assist him? 

Mr. Rosedale: There is no vacancy in the office 
and I do not care to create one to accommodate him. 

Beatrice : He thinks a good deal of a girl ; and if 
he could earn a fair salary, you would make both happy 
and bestow a great favor upon me. 

Mr. Rosedale: Beatrice, I am not just novv^ run- 
ning an almshouse. 



Or The Spy of Chancellorsville 21 

SCENE 2 

Beatrice (kneeling by his side :) Tom Ewing is 
poor enough, but the girl's father is rich and could 
help both if he wished. 

Mr. Rosedale : Well, that's none of my business ; 
and if the girl's father will not help him, why should 
I? 

Beatrice: But the girl begs her father to help 
him and the father will not comply with his daughter's 
prayer. 

Mr. Rosedale: You appear well posted in their 
business, but who is the girl and who is the father in 
whom you are so foolishly interested? 

Beatrice : The girl is kneeling by your side, and — 

Mr. Rosedale : No ; No, I say ! You want to be 
overtures of marriage to you ! The beggar wants to 
drag you down to his level. No, no ; no more of this 
fudge ! 

Beatrice : Instead of his dragging me down, give 
me the means to lift him up. 

Mr. Rosedale : No ; No, I say. You want to be 
very romantic. Dine a few times on romance and you 
will cease your nonsense. I have a more promising 
fish for you to catch, and I shall help you hold the line 
and will furnish you with attractive bait. 



22 'TOM EWING 



ACT I 

Mrs. Rosedale (crocheting) : My good husband, 
listen to poor Beatrice. Money does not always give 
happiness. If she is content, she will be happy with 
very little. 

Mr. Rosedale : Shame, woman ! Do you want me 
to throw away the reputation which required years of 
constant application to establish? I care not for your 
importunities. Time has made me wise. You should 
not encourage such folly. 

Mrs. Rosedale: Still you ought to consider your 
child's happiness as well as your own interests. 

Mr. Rosedale : I am doing both. This young man 
is a son of my partner. He has grown up with the 
business and is an expert in every department of the 
works. He is a better catch in every way than Tom 
Ewing, and besides he carries a large part of the stocks 
of the firm. Let Beatrice marry him and all our inter- 
ests will be united. 

Beatrice : Who is this young man ? 

Mr. Rosedale: Harry Jamerson. You have met 
him. 



Or The Spy of Chancellorsville ^^ 



SCENE 2 

Beatrice: Yes, I know him. He went to school 
when I did. Father, you overrate him. Tom Ewing 
could teach him. Tom has more brains in his finger 
nails than Harry carries in his weak, empty cranium. 
Why- 
Mr. Rosedale : Enough, Madam, enough ! You 
will marry Mr. Jamerson. 

Beatrice: Father, you never gave Tom a trial. 
Test him, and if you do not find him a giant in intellect, 
a friend in adversity, a hero in danger, and a toiler 
without a peer, then I shall marry Jamerson ! 

Mr. Rosedale: Indeed! Well, you would be an 
old woman before I could finish such a test. 

Beatrice: I am willing to wait. 

Mr. Rosedale : But you will not wait. There are 
other girls and Jamerson needs not wait for you. 

Beatrice: Then he don't need to. 

Mr. Rosedale: What! Madam, do not venture 
too far with your impertinence. 

Beatrice : Father ; I did not intend to offend you, 
but know this : I shall never marry Jamerson ! (Beat- 
rice smks into her mother's arms.) 



24 TOM EWINC 



ACT I 

(Father stands gazing in anger at her. Bell rings 
for supper. Father turns and walks to dining-room.) 

Mrs. Rosedale : Come ! your heart must be heavy 
and sad ; but come and have some supper. 

Beatrice : Mother, you are kind ; but father and I 
may have some hot words, so I shall eat later. 

Mrs. Rosedale : Very well, child ; but do not kill 
yourself with fretting. This will do Tom no good. 
Tell him I am his friend and that he must not want as 
long as I have a dollar or a loaf of bread. 

Beatrice : How good, mother, how good. Now go 
to supper. (She walks with her mother to the dining- 
room door.) 

(As Beatrice turns, Ethel enters.) 

Ethel: You ought to be ashamed of yourself for 
disturbing father so. 

Beatrice : I am deeply sensitive of the annoyance 
I give father; but I want you to understand that I 
never did anything to bring the blush of shame to my 
cheek. If you and father do not like Tom Ewing, I 
pity you both. 

Ethel: You save your pity for yourself. You 



Or The Spy of Chancellorsville 25 



SCENE 2 

seem to have a large amount of that commodity. Keep 
it, keep it for yourself and that unbearable puppy upon 
whom you dote! 

Beatrice: You are quite sarcastic ; still give me a 
nice little puppy any time in preference to a bull-dog 
like Howard Grey. 

Ethel- What! you audacious thing! You are 
beneath contempt ! Howard, I have you know, is no 
beo-o-ar but a g-entleman of the purest refinement. 

Beatrice: I cannot comprehend how any person 
can possess refinement without a heart. 

Ethel: Howard has a heart as good and— 

Beatrice: Yes, a cast iron one. 

Ethel: If I were father, I would fling you out of 
the house. 

Beatrice: And if I were mother I would put a 
muzzle on you. 

Ethel: You are insufferable. 

Beatrice: And you are most gentle. 



26 TOM EWING 



ACT I 

Ethel: V/ell, you will not soon forget the scene 
you acted just now. Father is no fool with you. 

Beatrice: It is a father's privilege to reprimand 
his child. Though he is ungracious with me, he is still 
my father; and as to the scene, no, I shall not easily 
forget it, nor your gentleness toward me. I shall keep 
a photograph of both locked up in my memory for 
reference. 

Ethel : Were mother as wise as father, you would 
discontinue your mad freaks. 

Beatrice : That will do ! Not a word against 
mother ! She is too gentle and loving for your sar- 
casm. Leave her untarnished and free from your vile 
comparisons. If you hate me, I shall bear your hatred 
with patience, but you will not utter one word of re- 
proach against that mother who has only kindness and 
tears for me. 

Ethel: She might spare her kindness and tears. 
They are only thrown away on you. 

Beatrice: Very well. I shall not dispute that 
point; but freely admit I am a child unworthy of so 
fond a mother. But I did not come to quarrel with 
you. I came to see mother. 

Ethel : You had better go to Tom Ewing. 



Or The Spy of Chancellorsville 27 



SCENE 2 



Beatrice: You had better not sully his name by 
the touch of your ugly lips. (Exit.) 

Ethel : There goes a baggage of conceit and mad- 
ness. (Exit to supper.) 



SCENE 3— A Grove. 

Beatrice (enters) : It is about the hour, but they 
are not here. O, Guarding Angel, bring them to me ! 
Perhaps they will come this way. I shall walk to meet 
them. It is so lonely. (Exit. After a few moments 
Burk and Tom enter.) 

Tom: Here are the old grounds where we used 
to play. Often I have come here, and lived the old 
hours over again. What help and sadness, Burk, there 
are in old memories ! 

Burk: Here is the spot I told her to meet you. 
It is now the time. So cheer up ! 

Tom: Burk, there is no use to weep over spilt 
milk, and it is just as foolish to fret over what might 
have been. The poet Vv^as nearly right, I believe, when 
he said that "Life is made up of drops of joy with 
draughts of ill between." The worst of it is, I do not 
even get the drops. 



28 TOM EWING 



ACT I 

Burk : Never mind, Tom, you will have the drops 
and the draughts later on. You will be marching home 
a general to us. Then Beatrice and yourself need not 
heed Rosedale's sneers. 

Tom: Fate may be more lenient to me in the 
army. At least a bullet may put an end to all the 
cynical insults. After all the grave is a merciful doc- 
tor. 

Burk: The doctor and the undertaker are two 
men I do not care to shake hands with ; and for the 
insults, fire them to Old Nick. Beatrice ought to be 
here at any moment, now. I did not say a word to her 
about your enlistment. She will be heart-broken, I am 
sure. 

Tom: Burk, she may not care for me; still, she 
has been kind, often offering me money. Before leav- 
ing I would like to know whether she has forgotten old 
times. If she has, then war has attractions and death 
is welcome. Considering things in the cold calculation 
of dollars and cents, I do not blame her, if she is too 
wise to share my wretchedness. I am poor and have 
been unfortunate ; still, I will brave ill-luck ; and, Burk, 
wherever I die, I will leave no stain upon the memory 
of my honored father and kind, good mother. 

Burk : That is manly, Tom ; but never mind your 
ill-fortune. Were you a king, Beatrice would not 



Or The Spy of Chancellorsville 29 

SCENE 3 

think so much of you. It is your ill-fortune which 
binds you to her. Your ills are your blessings. There 
she comes. Be kind to her. You know not what ar- 
rows she carries in her own heart. I shall see you at 
the train. (Exit.) 

Beatrice (enters) : Tom, I have been looking for 
you. I was here a while ago and not seeing you, I 
thought I would meet you. Our dear old friend, Mr. 
Burk, promised to find you for me. I was longing to see 
you. How are you ? Oh, it is so long since we met ! 

Tom : I was wishing and praying that you would 
come here tonight. 

Beatrice : That was kind ; I thought no one cared 
to see me. 

Tom: Kinder of you, for you are the only one 
who looks for me, except ill-luck, and she always finds 
me. 

Beatrice : Your luck appears, indeed, evil, but 
who knows, it may be an angel in disguise. 

Tom: Well, then, it must be a guardian angel, 
for he so often leads me to you. But luck may now 
change since I have entered a new career. 

Beatrice: Pray, what do you mean? 



30 TOM EWING 



ACT I 

Tom: To-night I enlisted and to-morrow I start 
for the Army of the Potomac. 

Beatrice: Enlisted! (She flings her arms about 
him and sobs.) 

Tom: O, Beatrice ! what joy you give me. 

Beatrice : And now you are going to leave me ! 

Tom: Give me that handkerchief which contains 
those precious tears. I will ^wear it next my heart. 
When the battle is the fiercest, I will think of those 
priceless jevs^els which it contains; and should I fall, 
then your tears v/ill commingle with my blood — our 
love will then be united. 

Beatrice : You must not think of dying ! 

Tom: Nor will I, for now I have something for 
which to live. 

Beatrice: You had that all the time. 

Tom : But I did not know it. Why did you not 
speak before now? 

Beatrice : I might put the same question to you. 
Indeed, you seemed distant with me and sometimes 
appeared to repel the friendship I proffered. 



Or The Spy of Chancellorsville 31 



SCENE 3 

Tom: O, Beatrice! I loved you from childhood; 
and when the clouds of adversity settled down upon 
me, I loved you more. But when my loving parents 
left me alone, I soon, even as a boy, found myself des- 
titute. The friends who should have helped me had 
they any gratitude for my dead paernts' helpfulness to 
them, turned away. Yea ; this was not all, Beatrice ; 
they would not give me a chance to earn my bread. 
When I saw all this, how could I inrtude upon your 
affections. I was poor and — 

Beatrice: I v/as rich. Don't be so cruel, Tom! 
Don't be so cruel ! (Sobs.) 

Tom: Beatrice, we know each other now, though 
it is late. We meet to part. Still if there is the least 
element of pain in my words, I plead with you for 
pardon. Amidst all the stings and shafts of misfor- 
tune, you were my friend : and if I said I was poor and 
wotild have added the words you took from my lips, 
I beg you know that many who ought to be my friends, 
with cynical tongue, told me I was poor and gave me 
to understand the vast distinction between poverty and 
wealth. 

Beatrice: I pity you, Tom! A thousand pities I 
have ever carried in my heart for you ; and though we 
must part, there is happiness in knowing that you love 
me. 

Tom: Love you, Beatrice; you who so often 



2>2 TOM EWING 



ACT I 

wiped away the tears of bitter disappointment from my 
soul ; you who in childhood would run to me and share 
with me whatever good you had. 

Beatrice: O, those were happy days! 

Tom: Happy, indeed, they were, but since that 
happy time what torments I have suffered ! Don't 
think me childish, Beatrice, but often I have wept my- 
self to sleep with the picture of my fond parents and 
dear Beatrice in my soul. 

Beatrice : I am sorry I was not kinder to you, but 
I feared you might reject me on account of the many 
false friends you have met. 

Tom: The fault is mine. Want made me know 
my place ; and if I happened to forget, there were 
friends anxious to remind me of it. Now, I am happy, 
the past is gone, and the joy you give me is greater 
than it could be, if I never knew pain. 

Beatrice: But we must part so soon! 

Tom: Yes, still a moment of this joy compen- 
sates for all the past. Besides, Beatrice, I have been 
fortunate already in the army. I have received the 
commission of lieutenant. The clouds may roll away 
and I win in war what my so-called friends would pre- 
vent me from winning in peace. Beatrice, I was dying 



Or The Spy of Chancellorsville 33 



SCENE 3 



to see you before I left. I shall write you often and 
may be the war will not last long. You shall be ever in 
my thoughts, and may heaven grant that we meet 
again ! I am now late, and must hurry to the camp. 
Give me now this token and memory of this sad but yet 
happy parting. (She gives him the handkerchief.) No 
jewel is so precious! Adieu, Beatrice, Adieu ! (They 
part.) 

Beatrice: May God keep you safe. (Looking 
after him.) Tom, you think we are parted. Never! 
We will live or perish together ! 



CURTAIN. 




34 TOM EWING 



ACT II. 

SCENE 1 — Camp. — Four soldiers bear in a wounded cap- 
tain accompanied with Tom Ewing and Murphy. Armed 
soldiers marching, etc. 

Tom Ewing (now a colonel) : Halt ! Let us see 
how our wounded captain has stood the journey from 
the field. (Stoops over him.) Is the wound giving" 
you much pain and are you losing much blood? 

Captain Rosedale (feebly) : I owe to you two 

young men my life. If I live I will try to compensate 
you at least in some measure for that daring act of 
courage which saved my life and exposed your own. 
(Addressing Tom.) May I ask your name? 

Tom Ewing: Here take a drink. (Holds canteen 
to his mouth.) My name is Tom Ewing. (Rosedale 
covers his face feebly with his arm and answers noth- 
ing.) 

Jack Murphy (bends over the captain) : I hope 
ye are not mortally wounded and that ye are not en- 
during much pain. Whenever ye want special help^ 
ask for Jack Murphy, and I will sa ye as often as I 
can. 

Tom Ewing: Captain Rosedale, this short rest is 
sufficient to restore vitality until you reach the medical 
sergeant. (To the soldiers) : Now, men, bear him care- 
fully to the doctor's tent. (Exeunt all except Captain 
Murphy and Tom.) 



Or The Spy of Chancellorsville 35 

SCENE 1 

Jack : Tom, ye know the captain, I sa. When he 
recognized ye, he appeared confuddled. He cannot be 
yer enemy, or ye never would endanger yer life in sich 
a hard rescue. 

Tom: Why, Jack, you displayed more bravery 
than I. 

Jack: But that was chafly bekase ye were in 
danger, 

Tom: I spotted him some months ago when he 
came to the front. He did not, however, know me. I 
saw him today as the division to which he belongs, 
came up to support the skirmishers. It was a clever 
feint on the part of the rebs. to test our strength. But 
Jack, you are the most loyal friend I ever had, except 
one other. To-day I would have been a corpse but for 
your timely aid. Twice before you covered me with 
your life. During the bayonet charge at Antietam, my 
comrade on the right fell dead at my side. The Con- 
federate soldier opposed to him, being thus released, 
turned his bayonet upon me and would have found 
my heart, but you, regardless of your own safety, bared 
your breast to the shock of the adversary to protect 
me. You wounded the man and saved me, but your 
Hfe was forfeited, had not a random bullet stopped the 
bayonet within a few inches of your breast. At the 
fierce battle of Fredericksburg, you again gave proof 
of your marvelous friendship. I tell you. Jack, I can- 
not account for your attachment to me. On both those 



36 TOM EWING 



ACT II 

occasions I was dead but for your daring defense. You 
are brave and expose yourself to every danger for me. 

(Both sit some distance apart on cracker boxes.) 

Jack: Arrah, Tom, ye spake a grate dale about 
me bravery, but ye says nothing about yer own. Sure 
toime and again ye have fought like a damon for me. 
Fur two years we have stood side be side and surely I 
could not sa ye in danger and not defend ye. Ye have 
niver in ony danger deserted me, but iver ready to risk 
yer loife for moine. 

Tom: From the time we first met, I regarded 
you as a friend ; and you were never anything else. 
Memory goes back today. Jack Murphy, to that first 
meeting, and believe me, I am proud of your attach- 
ment and friendship. 

Jack: Ye spakes about yer memory. Is it the 
captain whom ye called Rosedale that started it a 
pounding. I percaved that he could not have changed 
cullers faster if a rebel had given him a jab of a bayonet 
than when ye told him yer name. 

Tom: Yes, Jack, that same Rosedale tapped a 
tender spot today. 

Jack: Ye knew him before, then? 



Or The Spy of Chancellorsvillc 37 



SCENE 1 

Tom: Knew him? Yes, indeed, I knew him. 
That man whose life you and I saved in that charge, 
treated me often like a dog-. A dog! did I say? Why, 
Jack, his own dog he would treat well ; but I was in a 
manner a strange, repulsive dog! 

Jack: Begobs, I can't understand thot. Ye are 
sich a clane-harted, foine harted soldier, thot anyone 
mistrating ye, must be a lunatic. But why such awful 
risk to save yer enemay? Sure I would let him go to 
hell ; and the quicker, the better it would plaze me. 

Tom : You remember I told you that you are the 
best and truest friend I ever had except one other. 

Jack: Begorra, I do, and I am a bit jealous. 

Tom: Well, Murphy, that other friend is Rose- 
dale's daughter. 

Jack: Faix, I sa now; but tell me something 
about that girl who is me rival in yer estame. 

Tom: The story is so sacred to me that to none 
other would I speak about it ; but since you have often 
revealed your soul to me, and since in some engage- 
ment we may part forever, I want you to find her and 
tell her of my love. I will begin by telling you that she 
and I were children together. A lovely child she was, 
with wavy, golden hair and eyes as bright and gentle 



38 TOM EWING 



ACT II 

as the stars, and lips .as rosy and as well chlsled as a 
mother ever kissed. Kind she was, indeed. Her apple 
she would never eat alone, but come to me and cut it, 
giving the larger part to me. I would remonstrate, 
begging her to keep the bigger piece but without avail. 

jack: But ye must have been koind to her. 
Koindness is not all one-sided, and koindness unnoticed 
is soon dead and buried. 

Tom : My kindness v/as only a trifling thing com- 
pared with hers. 

Jack: I knows ye too well fur thot, but how did 
it come about thot ye disloikes her dad? 

Tom: Jack, you see my parents died when I v/as 
young. My guardian in whom they had explicit faith 
cheated me out of the estate. A few hundred dollars 
was all I had. I economized the best I could ; still it 
gradually disappeared and I was without a cent. In 
the meantime I sought employment in many places. 
Luck conspired to ruin me. Finally I appealed to Rose- 
dale for a clerkship in his office. He refused. I begged 
him then to listen to me, but he spurned with haughty 
scorn my entreaties. 

Jack: The cruel Scoundrel to trate you so un- 
natural. 



Or The Spy of Chancellorsville 39 



SCENE 1 

Tom : Yes, Murphy, it was hard to bear ; but that 
same man who almost kicked me from his office, could 
not have the power to insult me, had it not been for my 
father. 

Jack : Colonel, I do not ketch yer maning. 

Tom : That man was lifted out of nothinsf by my 
father and ushered into the highway of prosperity. 

Jack: I sa, now. Thot's why the child loikes ye. 
They all loiked ye when yer father was rich ; but when 
yer father was dead and ye poor, then none loiked ye. 

Tom: Jack, you are in part right, in part wrong. 
That child was too young to know the bitter, galling 
difference between poverty and wxalth. 

Jack: Do ye think she loved ye when ye were 
poor? 

Tom : That gentle, kind forwardness of children 
disappeared ; still I thought she loved me. 

Jack : Why did ye not test her ? 

Tom: Want and dejection and fear forbade me. 
Murphy, you might have never known want, but I 
have. Want with harsh censure makes one know his 



40 TOM EWING 



ACT II 

place, and I was in depths of want. A stable loft was 
my lodging, and often, often did I sleep there hungry 
and cold. None knew this but myself. In my forlorn 
condition I still hoped she loved me. This was the 
only glimmering light, the only star of hope ; and fear 
prevented me from opening my lips to her lest this 
star would be eclipsed. 

Jack: Yer lot was sad indade. No wonder ye are 
brave in the field of battle, when ye were so brave in 
the cold clutch of misery. But ye still think a grate 
dale of her, although she was mum. 

Tom: Jack, you have not heard all. When war 
broke out a new field of efifort was opened for me. 
When I told her I had enlisted, it was then she revealed 
to me in tears the pent-up love of years. She chided 
me for my coldness toward her, assuring me that the 
affection of childhood still kept watch over her heart 
for me. 

Jack: Do her letters still brathe love? Some- 
times, ''The new have charms which the ould have not, 
and the stranger's face makes the friend's forgot." 
These are the words of a poet and Irashus says thot 
I should not be using poetry. 

Tom: Since my dim eyes lost sight of her the 
evening before I left Pittsburg for the front, I have not 
heard a word from her. I wrote and wrote, but got no 
reply. Perhaps my letters were intercepted by her fa- 



Or The Spy of Chancellorsville 41 



SCENE 1 

ther, and I would have become morose and sunk into 
despondency but for you, my noble friend. In my de- 
jection you took her place, and kindly and braevly you 
have kept it. 

Jack: Arrah, man, I would put her memory in 
me knapsack for future reference and not trouble me 
moind about her. Sartantly she could have written 
ye, even if she did not recaive a letter from ye. 

Tom: That would be unjust to her. Maybe she 
is dead ; and if she is, oh, how cruel it would be to her 
to say or do aught that would be ungracious to her gen- 
tle, fond spirit. No, Jack, I have been faithful and will 
remain thus until the end; but if she is dead. Jack, 
spare me no more in battle. 

Jack: Tom, I always admired yer friendship, and 
begorra, it is as true as the stael. But have ye her pic- 
ture? I would loike to take a peep at the face ye love 
so much. Maybe I haev sane her. 

Tom: No, Murphy, I have none. 

Jack: Did she give ye no token when ye were 
parting? 

Tom: Her handkerchief is all I have. Here is 
where I keep it. (Draws it from underneath his shirt 
and goes and kneels on one knee near Jack.) Don't 



42 TOM EWING 



ACT II 

think me childish, Jack. You see its soiled from carry- 
ing it so long. 

Jack: Why don't ye give it a tastse of soap and 
water. Sure, I'll wash it for ye, then it will be nice and 
clane. 

Tom: No, Murphy, no water will touch this un- 
less it be the rains which drench us on the march. This 
was the handkerchief she used when we parted. This 
contains the tears, jeweled emotions of the heart, which 
told me she loved me. Here these precious gems will 
remain until we meet ; but should I fall, Jack, steep this 
handkerchief in my heart's blood and tell her it is mine. 

Jack: Begobs, man, ye have a heart as gentle as 
it is strong; but Tom,ye must have some other messen- 
ger to bear that treasure to her; for Tom ye v/ill not 
fall without me. We have fought side be side till now 
and death is not going to part us. The one grave will 
contain i\s both. 



Tom: Jack, I believe the world does not possess 
your equal in friendship and loyalty to me. Come now 
let us review our commands. Some hard fighting is 
ahead of us. Lee will certainly follow up his advan- 
tage. (Bugle cadis to arms.) There is the bugle calling 
to arms. If this battle wraps me in death, remember, 
find Beatrice. (Exeunt.) 



Or The Spy of Chancellorsville 43 

SCENE 2 — A Parlor in Howard Gray's Home. Ethel 
seated. 

Ethel: Married just one year and a half. It seems 
a century. How wretched I am ; and everything and 
everyone mocks my misery. I planned for happiness 
but Vv^edded desolation. Beatrice, how often did I 
despise you and scorn Tom Ewing. Despair now re- 
pays me for my haughtiness and I trust my tears will 
wash away the wrongs I did my sister. No, no, tears 
and remorse cannot heal the wounds I made. (Enters 
Howard.) 

Howard : I am going to the club, so don't put on 
the night bar. 

Ethel: When will you be home? 

Hov/ard : That's none of your business. 

Ethel: It is hard to remain .in the house alone 
when the door is unprotected. 

Howard: Very hard, indeed. I want to tell you 
also that you must make' no more purchases without 
first consulting me. I received a bill of ten dollars to- 
day for some foolish nonsense you bought. 

Ethel : It was not foolish, but necessary. I must 
have something to wear. 



44 TOM EWING 



ACT II 

Howard : You are too expensive ; and if you per- 
sist in buying, I will notify the merchants that I shall 
not be accountable for your debts. 

Ethel: What do you mean? Do you think I am 
your slave? If you continue to treat me as you do, I 
will show you that you cannot act the despot with me 
any longer. 

Howard: Why, pray, what will you do? 

Ethel : I will apply for a divorce. Then I can se- 
cure an annual allowance from you and you may stay 
forever at the club. 

Howard: Oh, dear, how nice. But I foresaw all 
this and took precaution against it. You did not care 
for me. It was my money you were after. I saw your 
hand and knew your trick. For my part, I would never 
have noticed you but for your father's business stand- 
ing. But now he is not worth a thousand dollars. Why, 
when he was drafted he had not enough money or 
credit to get a substitute, so he had to go to the army. 
Through some friends' influence, he obtained, very 
fortunately for himself, a captain's commission. 

Ethel: You need not combine sneers at my fa- 
ther with the indignities you heap upon me. I will 
investigate and at least you own this house. I shall 
have a home and you may go. 



Or The Spy of Chancellorsville 45 



SCENE 2 

Howard : Indeed ! Madam, I do not own a slate 
upon this mansion. You took me for a soft fool^ but I 
noticed and heard your contemptible remarks about 
Tom Ewing and your sister. You were money mad ; 
but Tom is now your fathers superior officer and the 
newspapers are full of his praise. How do you both 
like that? Let me tell you also that if Ewing live, he 
will be a general within six months. 

Ethel: You love to break my heart, but I will 
see who owns this house. 

Howard: You may; still, just to please you a 
little, let me tell you I disposed of this place a month 
before we were married. I saw your game and you see, 
madam, I can play at a game as well as you. I have 
not one cent's worth of real estate, and my money, you 
and the law will not find. (Goes out and slams door af- 
ter him.) 

Ethel: Beatrice was right when she intimated you 
are a bull dog^ and that a man without a heart is no 
man. One year and half have opened my heart and 
made me wiser, though misreable. (Dries her eyes, 
etc.) He would not have noticed me but for my fa- 
ter's financial standing. I would not notice Tom 
Ewing on account of his financial standing and made 
the heart of good Beatrice bleed by my contemptuous 
treatment. The accounts are well balanced — contempt 
with contempt, tears with tears. (Enters Mrs. Rose- 
dale.) 



46 TOM EWING 



ACT II 

Mrs. Rosedale: Ethel, what ails you; you have 
been crying. Some new trouble? 

Ethel: Oh, nothing, mother. 

Mrs. Rosedale: People do not weep without a 
cause. Has Hov/ard been abusing you again? 
Ethel : We had a few words. 

Mrs. Rosedale: Tell me, for I ought to know. 
When one shares another's grief, the sorrow is divided. 

Ethel : Mother, I cannot tell you ; but have you 
received any news from father? All last night and to- 
day he was constantly in my mind. I pray he is well. 

Mrs. Rosedale: Yes, Ethel, I had a letter from 
him about two hours ago and hurried to you, to tell 
you. how he is. He received a severe wound and would 
have been trampled to death, had not Tom Ewing and 
another soldier called Jack Murphy rescued him from 
amidst the combatants at the hazard of thcii lives. 

Ethel: Great God! Tom Ewing! 

Mrs. Rosedale: Your father writes that Tom is 
very kind to him and nurses him as if your father had 
been Tom's dearest friend. 

Ethel: Mother, I was wrong and cruel to poor 



Or The Spy of Chancellorsville 47 

SCENE 2 

Tom. If we ever meet again, I will beg of him to for- 
give me and forget the past. Kind Beatrice, how often 
did I taunt you with cutting, piercing words ! (Sobs.) 

Mrs. Rosedale: The past is gone and your tears 
cannot blot it out, so do not weep. I hope for Tom's 
sake that Beatrice is alive. Beatrice was a loving child ; 
clinging like a vine to poor Tom in every storm. It's 
a pity they are parted and that father was so harsh ; 
but time brings many a change. God shields those 
who trust in him. 

Ethel: I often wonder where Beatrice is. Some- 
times I think she entered a convent and buried herself 
in peace and prayer. 

Mrs. Rosedale: No, Ethel, she did not, for they 
would not receive her in any convent without our con- 
sent and letters of commendation. 

Ethel: She might have applied at a convent 
v/hich knew us all and pitied her. Mother, Beatrice's 
appeal would move the most solid rock. Her tears 
would gain her admission and compel the most stern 
to weep with her. None could resist her sighs for help 
except her heartless sister. (Sobs.) 

Mrs. Rosedale: I know not where she is. Per- 
haps in heaven ; or if on earth, may God keep her from 
every harm. Come, Ethel, let us take a little walk. 
Your eyes are swollen and your heart is heavy. The 



48 TOM EWING 



ACT II 

air will give you strength and help you to forget your 
trials. You must stay with me to-night. (Fxeunt.) 



SCENE 3— Camp. 

Tom Ewing: Jack, I tell you we are on the eve 
of an awful battle. Lee is concentrating his forces 
with a vim which predicts what we may expect. 

Jack Murphy: Ye are roight, Tom. When Lee 
and Jackson put their heads together, ye may well look 
for mischief. They are two foine ginerals. 

Tom Ewing: This war is a shame. Brother fight- 
ing brother. What a pity it is to see two such great 
generals like Lee and Jackson massing their forces to 
tear down the stars and stripes. 

Jack: It is indade a disgrace, but, Lee is a brave 
man and belaves he is fighting for a just cause. If they 
are trying to haul down our flag, in troth we are doing 
our livel bist to pull down theirs — and there it is fur 

ye. 

Tom: North and South acknowledge Lee's mar- 
velous generalship ; still it is deplorable that we should 
slaughter each other. 



Or The Spy of Chancellorsville 49 



SCENE 3 

Jack: Faix, mon, that's what I say. We ought 
to resarve our strength to foight a foreign enemay, 
and not be butchering ourselves. But, Tom, if ye want 
a little philosophy upon the same subject, spake with 
that black lad Irashus. He is a janus. 

Tom: He is, indeed, entertaining. In his droll 
way and big words, he sometimes gives expression to 
considerable truth. 

Jack: Arrah, its' chunks of wisdom he dales out 
of his black head. How in the divil he foinds out so 
much I niver can understand. He says he always 
lived amongst the "big bugs," and I guess that ac- 
counts for some of his big ideas. 

Tom: Perhaps that's as good an explanation as 
any, but I tell you. Murphy, from all appearances the 
battle of Chancellorsville will go down in history as one 
of the bloodiest of the war. 

Jack: It's lucky for Captain Rosedale he is 
wounded. He has been saved from the danger of sev- 
eral big skirmishes. 

Tom: His luck is bought Vs^ith a harrowing pain 
and embarrassment. 

Jack : I notice when ye are nursing him with yer 
koindness, that he is damned uncomfortable. It's 



50 TOM EWING 



ACT II 

thankful he should bay to ye, for in the hubbub of 
marching ye have carried him from place to place 
ioike a child. I have heard it said, bedad, that if ye 
want to hape coals of fire upon yer enemay, jist trate 
him with koindness. 

Tom: Jack, whatever acts of compassion I have 
shown him, they were not done for that puropse. Rose- 
dale suffers enough without my increasing his tor- 
ments. 

Jack: Begorra, Tom, I niver tried to make me 
enemay fale unpleasant by haping compassion upon 
him. It's me fist I would Ioike to hape upon him ; but 
ye are so koind to the old man after all his maneness 
to ye, that it befuddles me brain, but I'll state the case 
to Irashus and he will make ivery thing as clear to 
me as a dark night without any moon. 

Tom: For heaven's sake. Jack, don't speak of this- 
•afifair to the darky. 

Jack: Sure I was only having a joke. Yer se- 
crets are as safe with me as if ye had them locked up 
in an iron box with the kay in the bottom of the dape 
say. (Enters Irashus.) 

Irashus (hands a letter) : Col. Ewing, Massa 
Hooker despatched this cullured child to be the mes- 



Or The Spy of Chancellorsville 51 

SCENE 3 

senger of an invatashun to you to call as quickly as 
possibility will permit at his tent. 

Jack (shaking hands with him) : Why me choco- 
late friend, I haven't sane ye in many moons. Where 
have ye bin kaping yersilf ? 

Irashiis: Well, sah, when yo' want to see me, 
don't be lookin' in any moon for dis chile. Dis heah 
chile's habitashun am upon de broad bosom of dis yer 
earth. But Col. Ewing, Massa Hooker am in a first 
class hurry with you. He am walking up and down 
and down and up in his tent. Something awful, sah, 
something awful. 

Tom: I shall go immediately. (Starts out.) 
Good-bye, Jack, until I return. 

Jack: Good-bye, old fellow; I hope it's a general 
he will make ye. 

Iraphus : It's a mighty fine general, sah, the Colon- 
el would make. A puffoct gentleman is just exactly 
what he am without any exaggerashuns. 

Jack: Say, boss, what do you think of Massa 
Hooker? Do ye loike him as well as Massa McClellan? 

Irashus: Dat am a mighty dangerous proposish- 
un, sah ; and dis yere nigger may lose his job. Your 



52 TOM EWING 



ACT II 

understanding ob dem rules ob war am ample proofs 
ob de danger line being awfully near when an inferior 
officer stoops to a critical investigashun ob dem su- 
perior officers. 

Jack : Ye spake the truth, Irashus ; but who is go- 
ing to report ye? 

Irashus: I tells you sah, dat dis here nigger has 
learned in de schools of unlimited experiences dat de 
fences sometimes hab very long ears, sah. When any- 
one asks me sah, foh infohmashun on a doubtful or 
complexed question, I answer with all the simplicity 
ob a mule, sah, dat dis African don't know nufifin'. 

Jack: Irashus, ye have the wisdom of Solomon 
and the knowledge of an encyclopedia ; but say, what 
do yes think of the situation in the field? Will 
we wallop the rebels in the next battle or will they 
wallop us? 

Irashus : Dat am a mighty ticklesome queshun, 
an' in its most deepest profundashun, sah, is obscured 
by the darkness of future eventuashun. What am to- 
morrow to bring am eber lost in de fog ob conjec- 
turashun. Lee am a stipendous general, sah. it am 
in his blood to fight. His ancestrial fathers away back 
to Father Noah wus fighters. I tells yo' sah, I'd rather 
be in Alabama feasting on 'possum and watermelon 
than be on the fighting line in the next engagement, 
sah. 



Or The Spy of Chancellorsville 53 



SCENE 3 

Jack : Ye think it will be a fierce tussle, then. 

Irashus: I doan' like to say much about it, sah. 
It am such a momenshus queshun. We'll all know de 
day after how it goes. 

Jack: Arrah, the day after we may foind our- 
selves dead and buried. 

Irashus: If yo' is dead and buried, sah, dar will 
be no finding for yo', sah. 

Jack: I am going to sa the end of the war, be- 
^obs, if I must sa it from me grave. 

Irashus : De Irish am full ob wit an' song, sah. 
Yestahday I heahs yo' sing like a mocking bird, and 
often times, sah, I thought ebery rib in dis dareky s 
carcass am fractured with youah jokes. But, sah, i 
must be sauntering back to Massa Hooker to see how 
he am. (Exit.) 

Jack (calling after him) : We shall mate again 
after the battle. Well, Irashus, ye are a black dia- 
mond, and no mistake. Yer woolly head is as cute as 
a weasel. Ye knows what side of yer hoe-cake is but- 
tered. But what in the world does Hooker want of 
Colonel Tom? While I was talking with the nager, 
I could not put poor Tom out of my mind. A dan- 
gerous position for to-morrow will be haped upon him, 



54 TOM EWING' 



ACT II 

I am afraid. Arrah, many a tight place I saw him in 
during the last two years. (Enters Tom.) Be the 
snakes which niver saw Ireland, I was unazy about 
yez. What had Hooker to say to ye? 

Tom: Jack, it looks as if we must part for at 
least one night. 

Jack : For heaven's sake, Tom, tell me what it all 
manes. 

Tom: General Hooker is alarmed over the out- 
come of the battle and selected me to penetrate the ene- 
my's lines to-night. 

Jack (shows emotion and tries to wipe the tears 
from his eyes) : Tom, for God's sake take me with ye. 

Tom: It cannot be. Hating to part with one I 
know would willingly partake of my danger, I asked 
the general to let you come with me. He refused, say- 
ing that two would arouse suspicion. This is true, but 
with you I could brave any danger and still feel safe. 

Jack (recovering his composure) : In troth he 
ought to permit us to go together. Two heads are bet- 
ter than one, if only at a wedding. I'll ax him mesilf. 

Tom: No, Jack, it will not do. He may put me 
down as a coward, and death before such disgrace. 



Or The Spy of Chancellorsville 55 



SCENE 3 

Jack: Let me go with ye without his consent. 
Sure nayther of us will iver return alive. Let us doy 
togither. We have stood side by side in many en- 
gagements and now to be parted is worse than death. 

Tom : Oh, Jack, don't fear, I will return safe 
and sound. The general has a clever disguise for me. 

Jack: When will ye set out on yer lonesome jour- 
ney ? 

Tom: Immediately. Night is coming on. It is 
a beautiful May evening and the stars will keep me 
company. Permission was granted me to see you, but 
none other must know the secret. I will be back, by 
dawn. 

Jack: Arrah, Tom, I don't want to make yer 
heart heavy, but ye will niver come back, to yer poor 
broken-hearted Jack Murphy. 

Tom: Jack, I understand the danger which lurkes 
in every step. It's my duty. My death, if such it be, 
is undergone for the stars and stripes and to save, if 
possible, many a brave boy's life. 

Jack: Adieu, Tom; I'll say no more, but God be 
with ye. 



56 TOM EWING 



ACT II 

Tom (drawing Beatrice's handkerchief from his 
bosom) : Take this, Jack, and should you never see 
me again, try, after the war is over, to find Beatrice 
Rosedale and give her this. She will know it and 
know you are my friend. Tell her that on the eve of 
death, my last words were of her. 

(Jack leans his head for a moment upon Tom's 
shoulder. Tom shakes hands and turns. Tom exit. 
Jack sits on a box and buries his head in his hands as 
the Curtain is dropping. 

CURTAIN. 



ACT III. 
SCENE 1— Forest. 

Irashus (wandering) : Lord bless us but it am a 
wonderful time. Skirmishes eberywhere. Nuffin but 
dead and dying pussons. It am awful ! It am awful ! 
War am a desolashun ob de land. De Norf fight like 
lions an' de Souf fight like tigers. Dere am no 'possum 
an' watermelon in all dis gol domed tantelashun. Dis 
yere nigger must look out foah hisself. Yassah, nigger, 
yo' had better get into a place uf profound safety while 
yo' skin am whole. De bullets am no regard fo' pussons 
ob either sex ob whatsosumebber complexshuns. But 



Or The Spy of Chancellorsville 57 



SCENE 1 

dis heah nigger am curious to discober where in de 
whole wide world Captain Jack and Colonel Tom am. 
Dese yere black eyes am bin lookin' fo' dese white 
gentlemen all dis blessed mo'ning and can't ketch sight 
ob dem. Dey am white an' no mistake. Two ob de 
finest pussons I is eber sawn. I is sahtin dat sum mis- 
fortuashun am cum upon dem, like tundah come on ^ 
beautiful day. If dey am lost, dis nigger will suttenl'y 
die. Dis heah army will be as lonesome as de city of de 
dead. Well, I is sorry in dis heah hart ob mine, but 
Irashus yo' hadst better betook yo'self out ob danger. 
I guess dis heah nigger must give de search up. (Two 
Confederate soldiers level their guns at him as they 
shout "Halt !" Irashus trembles violently.) 

Soldier: Halt ! You black coon or we'll blow your 
damned brains out. 

Irashus: Fo' de Lo'd's sake, sah, I was doing 
nuffin'. 

Soldier (lower guns) : Another spy. 

Irashus: I is no spy, sah, I is an innocent, good 
fo' nuffin' nigger. - , 

Soldier: What are you doing around here, then? 

Irashus: I was looking around dis heah place, 
sah, to discober if I could see a 'possum. 



58 TOM EWING 



ACT III 

Soldier: You belong to the Yankee army, you 
black devil. 

Irashus: No, sah, I belongs to no ahmy, sah. I 
is only a poor unfortunate serbant dats come down 
heah to see v^^ho am dead. 

Soldier : You know Tom Ewing, the spy ? 

Irashus : No, sah ; I does not know Tom Ewing 
from de side ob a bahn. 

Soldier: Suppose we blow out your black brains 
for the fun of it? 

Irashus: Dar am no fun in dat fo' dis cullo'd 
chile. (Trembles.) Fo' Lo'd sake massa, let me go 
an' I'll neber come back heah again. 

Soldier (leveling his gun at him) : Well, now 
start for the North Pole as fast as your black legs can 
carry you. (Irashus runs off.) 

Soldier (speaking to the other) : That black devil 
ventured too far. If his black hide is not punctured be- 
fore he reaches a place of safety he'll be a lucky nigger. 

2nd Soldier:. He was down here looking for a 
'possum ; ha, ha, ha ! 



Or The Spy of Chancellorsville 59 



SCENE 1 



1st Soldier: Yes, the damned rascal was down 
stealing rinses off the dead and Vv^ounded, but they are 
all damned Yanks at any rate ; and who cares if he does 
rob them. The damned fools are fighting and dying for 
them. 

2nd Soldier: We ought to have put a hole in his 
black carcass. 

1st Soldier (looking off) : Here, Sam, comes an- 
other Yank. He has a sort of flag of truce. (2nd Sol- 
dier looks off.) 

2nd Soldier : Let us stand aside a little and await 
his coming. This is as safe a place as we can find at 
present. (Enters Jack Murphy.) 

Both Soldiers (leveling muskets upon him) : Halt! 
What brings you here ? 

Jack: Has a soldier of the North been captured 
during the night? 

1st Soldier: We capture som.e occasionally. We 
don't know to which one you refer. What is his name? 

Jack: I would rather not tell his name. 

1st Soldier: Then, there is no use in asking us 



60 TOM EWING 



ACT III 

foolish questions. Tell us his name and we shall, if we 
can, reply ; otherwise, return to where you belong. 

Jack: But I must go on. 

1st Soldier: But you mustn't. Understand if you 
budge one inch forward you are a corpse. 

Jack : His name is Tom Ewing. 

1st Soldier: Yes, we captured him last night 
sneaking along our outer works disguised as an old 
farmer with a basket of tobacco and matches. 

Jack: As you, too, are a soldier, I beg you lead 
me to General Tee's headquarters. 

1st Soldier: For what? 

Jack: To save, if possible, his life. 

1st Soldier: That's a fool's errant. Who sent 
you? 

Jack: No one. 

1st Soldier: You left camp without orders? You 
will be court martialed. 

Jack: It is not death I am trying to escape; it is 
Tom Ewing's life I must save. 



Or The Spy of Chancellorsville 61 



SCENE 1 

1st Soldier: You may as well spare your trouble. 
At 9 o'clock, and it will soon be that hour, he is to be 
court martialed. The case is dead against him. We 
found papers upon him which prove he is a spy and you 
know what that means. 

Jack: I know it means death, bvit I must see 
General Lee. Will you not lead me to him, or tell me 
in what part of your field I may find him? 

1st Soldier: You must think us silly to tell you 
where our General's headquarter's are located. You 
must go back ! 

Jack: You are a soldier and will not drive back 
a soldier though he wears the blue, when he seeks his 
friend before that friend dies. 

1st Soldier: You must think we are jackasses to 
bestow favors upon spies who enter our lines to do 
with treachery what they cannot do in fair fighting. 

Jack: Since you are a brave soldier, were you 
asked to go on a similar errand, you would not object 
whether you liked the job or not. It is not a pleasant 
undertaking to run the risk of your life. 

1st Soldier: Well, he has run the risk, and the 
penalty is death, and this ends our talk. Back, sir, to 
your own lines ! 



62 TOM EWING 



ACT III 

Jack: You do not know Tom Ewing or 5^011 
would permit me to go. I am only doing what one 
friend will do for another. Tom Ewing has saved my 
life often and exposed his own for me. If this soldier 
here had snatched you from the jaws of death, would 
you not exert yourself to save his life? 

1st Soldier: I certainly would. 

Jack : Well, to show my loyalty to Tom ; to show 
him I appreciate the dangers he endured for me, I have 
set forth this morning. If he must die, how dearly 
he will prize my friendship as I kneel by his side to 
hear his dying message. Soldier, you are, then listen 
to me. That spy, as he is now called, is my dearest 
friend. Soldier, his life story is a mournful one. After 
a terrific engagement, when I had saved his life, his 
heart was touched by my friendship to him and he un- 
veiled his soul to me. He related that he had a loving, 
faithful friend ; that her father was blessed with wealth, 
but this wealth made his heart cold and hard to suffer- 
ing and to poverty. His own parents had abundance 
and in their prosperity had helped her father to enter 
the highway which led to opulence ; but after his par- 
ents' death, through the deviltry of his guardian, he 
was robbed and left penniless. He begged her father 
for a chance to earn his bread. The father spurned his 
petition. Failing in this effort, he begged for employ- 
ment elsewhere, but was rejected. He then slept in a 
stable and almsot starved. As he told me, he often 



Or The Spy of Chancellorsville 



63 



SCENE 1 

wept himself asleep, hungry and cold. In all this mis- 
ery and pain that girl clung to him with affectionate, 
tender pity. It is to bear his dying words to her that 
I plead with you to let me enter your lines. I believe 
you brave, and a brave soldier will not drive me away. 
Do help me ! Let me carry his last message of love to 
that girl who did not abandon him in his tears and 
want. To cross your lines will do your army no harrn ; 
but to me, to me it is dearer than life. Surely you will 
not join with all the others who made his life so deso- 
late! Let it not be said that a soldier of the sunny, 
chivalrous South drove him back who begs admission 
to his friend ; who begs to bear to his weeping love, the 
last emotions of a noble soul. No, no, you will not re- 
ject my poor entreaty! A soldier cannot spurn a sol- 
dier's prayer ! 

1st Soldier: That white rag you bear as a flag of 
truce will not be seen by our soldiers, and you will fall. 
Have vou not something larger that can be more easily 
discerned. I do not want to see so noble a friend per- 
ish. 

Jack: This is the only thing I could find in my 
haste to leave the camp. 

1st Soldier (takes off his shirt which is white and 
pins it on gun used as a staff) : Here, this can be more 
easily discerned at a distance. We cannot leave our 
post. Take this road (points) ; yonder is a skirt of 



64 TOM EWING 



ACT III 

woods. Avail yourself of that, for a random ball may 
strike you. You will not proceed far beyond that be- 
fore you are seized by our scouts. Hand them this 
note ; they will advance you to General Lee's head- 
quarters. 

Jack: Great God, soldier, you have the heart of 
a hero. 

1st Soldier: You have no moments to waste if 
you want to see Tom Ewing before he dies. (Exit 
Jack.) 

2nd Soldier: That fellow is loyal. I admire him, 
but it is risky to allow him to pass our lines. 

1st Soldier: No risk. He will not go a hundred 
yards beyond the woods when he will be placed under 
guard. 

2nd Soldier: But should he return before the bat- 
tle, he will reveal our plans. 

1st Soldier: That fellow is too honorable for such 
treachery; but he will not get a chance. He will be 
blindfolded before he reaches our breast works, and 
Lee is not the fool to let him return before the battle. 
But let us move along. (Exeunt. — Enters Irashus run- 
ning and out of breath.) 



Or The Spy of Chancellorsville 65 

SCENE 1 

Irashus: Dis heah darkey am so badly scared 
that he hab losed hisself and can't find hisself again. 
Dis nigger am a lucky chicken. (Trembles.) I was 
neber so near the grabe yard in all my born days. I 
v/onders if I is all here. (Examines himself.) Guess 
I is still all together. I is so confrusticated dat I goes 
around and around and winds up in the self same place. 
If dis nigger am back again in camp, he stays theah until 
dis heah war am concluded. (Enter the two rebel 
scouts. One runs after the other in a crouched atti- 
tude across the stage. Irashus sees them and trembles 
violently.) Well dar goes dem same rebs again. I is 
cotched yet, if dis darky does not make hisself mighty 
scarce. (Runs off in opposite direction. 



SCENE 2— Court Martial of Tom Ewing. 

Major Silverston: Captain, bring the prisoner 
in. (Tom led in handcuffed.) Release his hands. (Ad- 
dressing Tom) What is your name? 

Tom: It is not necessary for you to learn my 
name. 

Major: To inquire is only a formality, for we 
are in possession of your name. This little book found 
on your person reveals that. You are a Yankee sol- 
dier. 



66 TOM EWING 



ACT III 

Tom : I am a colonel in the Union army. 

Major: You were seized within our lines. Your 
disguise tells your purpose. Are you not a spy? 

Tom: Since you surmise my object, why trouble 
yourself with the formality of a trial. 

Major: To do justice to our own honor as well as 
to give you an opportunity for defence. 

Tom: I have no defence to offer. I entered your 
lines knowing the consequence if discovered and cap- 
tured. Now I am prepared to meet that consequence 
without fear. 

Major: What you could not do in a fair field of 
battle, you attempted to accomplish by treachery. 

Tom: The charge of treachery I deny. In war- 
fare contending armies have often had recourse to this 
stratap"em. Because I am a spy vou call my act treach- 
ery ; but if the case were reversed and a Confederate 
soldier found within our lines for similar purpose, you 
would call it bravery. 

Major: Of course we would. We do not call a 
spy a coward. We admire his pluck, though we must 
deal with him severely. 



Or The Spy of Chancellorsville 67 



SCENE 2 

Tom: I am content and do not murmur against 
the usages of warfare. 

Major: Have you any claims against our justice 
which you have not stated? 

Tom: None whatever. Having been selected for 
the hazardous duty, I understand the penalty and now 
ask no clemency. 

Major: We regret to see a brave soldier die; but 
if we were inclined to mercy, our duty and our cause 
forbid it. The reward of a spy, if seized, is death. You 
will die a ten o'clock this morning. Captain, take Tom 
Kwing in charge and execute the sentence as directed 
by the rules of war. Colonel Ewing, if you have any 
message to send to your relatives you may give them 
to the captain in charge. We promise on the word of 
a soldier that it will be forwarded at the first oppor- 
tunity. 

Tom: You are both a soldier and a man. Ac- 
cept my dying gratitude for this favor. 

Major (shakes hands with Tom) : I am sorry we 
met under such sad circumstances — good-bye. (Exeunt 
all but Major.) A brave soldier. His death will cause 
some mother's heart to break, but such is the fate of 
war. His execution had to be hurried, for ere the sun 
sets to-day there will be cause for many a mother's 
heart to break. (Exit.) 



68 TOM EWING 



ACT III 

SCENE 3 — General Lee's Headquarters. General seated 
on a box with some of his staff. 

Guard: General, a captain from the enemy's 
camp, bearing a flag of truce, desires an interview. 

General Lee: Escort him here. (Exit guard.) A 
flag of truce ! What can it mean at this moment? (En- 
ter Jack Murphy and guard.) 

Jack: General, I have come upon a mission of 
mercy. 

General Lee: Pray what can it be? Mercy is 
usually a stranger to camps. 

Jack: General Lee, confiding in your unexcelled 
qualities of both heart and soul, I have come to crave 
from you the life of Colonel Ewing who was captured 
within your lines. 

General Lee: The sacred duty which I owe my 
army and my country forbids me granting your re- 
quest. Colonel Ewing is sentenced to die as a spy. To 
release him would be a crime against ourselves. Were 
a Southern soldier to be caught within your lines on 
a similar tour, he certainly would die. We all know 
this is a rule of warfare. 

Jack: In seeking his release, I know I am beg- 
ging a boon that is never granted ; but pardon Colonel 



Or The Spy of Chancellorsville 69 

SCENE 3 

Ewing and put him tinder oath not again to take up 
arms aginst you. 

General Lee: It is impossible. I pity him and 
wish he had never crossed our lines, that we may be 
spared the pain of his execution ; but since he has, then 
he must die. 

Jack : Restore him to liberty ; and if ever a Con- 
federate soldier is taken in our army in the perform- 
ance of such duty, I promise you I shall rescue him if 
it cost my life. 

General Lee: A contract of that kind is impossi- 
ble. It would be a bad precedent and ere long the 
Northern soldiers would be swarming into our lines 
with impunity. It grieves me to be unable to concede 
you this favor, but it is impossible. He must suffer the 
penalty. He knew this when he ventured within our 
breastworks. 

Jack: But think. General, it v/ill cause another 
fond heart to break. 

General Lee: There are thousands of fond hearts 
at this moment breaking throughout the South. Would 
you have me increase that awful number by releasing a 
Northern spy? 

. Jack: No, General, the number is now too great 
both North and South; but Tom Ewing and I have 



70 TOM EWING 



ACT III 

fought side by side since the beginning of this cruel 
war. His heroism was often proven by his dauntless 
courage in saving my life. I have come to show him 
my gratitude by saving his. 

General Lee: His heroism I do not question, for 
it requires courage to be a spy, but you are only wast- 
ing your time and mine. 

Jack: Shortly ago, I met your guards. They re- 
fused me permission to cross your lines until I told 
them in part the mournful story of Tom's life. A hasty 
and brief statement of his wretchedness so awakened 
the ennobling tenderness of your guards' hearts that 
they not only permitted me to advance, but one took 
the shirt off. his own back to make for me a flag of 
truce. 

General Lee: I am proud of that guard and ad- 
mire the qualities of soul which prompted him and 
which urged you to come and plead for your brave 
comrade ; but I consider that the conduct of the guard 
was his duty and that your fidelity to Tom Ewing is 
an obligation of friendship ; but my duty and my obliga- 
tion to the South demand that the Colonel must die. 
Pardon me now, for other interests are pressing upon 
me. We must detain you within our lines until after 
the battle. 

Jack (kneels by the General's side) : General, an- 
other word. (Draws the handkerchief forth.) Look 



Or The Spy of Chancellorsville 71 



SCENE 3 

upon this handkerchief! It contains the tears of that 
friend who clung to Tom Ewing from childhood. She 
was spurned by her rich, cold-hearted father ; she bore 
the sneers of her unkind sister, all for his sake. When 
he bade her adieu, she wept upon his noble heart and 
here are contained those tears of sorrow and of love. 
He told me if he were killed, to touch this handker- 
chief to his heart's blood and bear it to the friend of 
his soul ; saying, "Give this to her and tell her that my 
last words were a prayer for her." Last night when he 
was parting with me, he gave me this to bear to her, 
for he believed we would meet no more. For two years 
and more I have shielded him with my life. He did not 
know me except as Jack Murphy, and now in this last 
struggle of death I kneel and beg you to spare him 
for that poor, broken-hearted girl who now begs his 
life from you. (Takes off disguise and remains kneel- 
ing.) Surely, General, you will not refuse her prayer 
whose heart has been pierced with pain a thousand 
times ! Say, I may have him ! And the future story of 
our common country will weep tears of gratitude on 
your grave. It is in your power ! Say yes ! There is 
the death bugle sounding! For God's sake say yes! 
" For the honor of the South, for your fidelity to her 
flag, for the love of your wife and mother, say yes ! 
(Sobs.) 

General Lee: Yes, my girl. It shall never be 
said that the South spurned your tender prayer. You 
are a brave girl, but there is no time to lose. Mount 



n TOM EWING 



ACT III 

my horse standing outside the tent, and guard, accom- 
pany her. Retain both within the lines until after the 
battle. (Exeunt both.) What chivalry in the North 
and South ! I am proud that girl and her lover are 
Americans ; but now, Generals, to the work vv^hich will 
cause tears and blood to flow. (Exeunt.) 



SCENE 4 — A rough coffin. Soldiers file in. Tom Ewing 
with guard. The former sits upon his coffin. Soldiers line 
up opposite. 

Commander: Halt! About face! Attention! 
Take aim! (Beatrice runs in and screams, her hair 
falling over and down her shoulders ; flings her arms 
about Tom's neck. The commander picks up the let- 
ter of pardon.) 

Beatrice: O, Tom ! (Faints.) 

Tom: My God ! Jack Murphy — Beatrice? (Kisses 
her.) 

Commander: Ground arms. . (Soldiers obey.) 
CURTAIN. 




One copy del. to Cat. Div. 



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